Postdoctoral researcher in Logic

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) is a research institute at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), in which researchers from the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Humanities collaborate. Its central research area is the study of fundamental principles of encoding, transmission and comprehen- sion of information. Research at the ILLC is interdisciplinary, and aims at bringing together insights from various disciplines con- cerned with information and information processing, such as logic, mathematics, computer science, linguistics, cognitive science, artificial intelligence and philosophy.

Research is organized in three research groups: Logic and Compu- tation (LoCo), Logic and Language (LoLa) and Language and Compu- tation (LaCo). For information on the research being carried out in the different groups, please see 'Research at ILLC'. For research done by the individual staff members of ILLC, see 'People at ILLC' and check their personal webpages.

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation is looking for a postdoctoral researcher for an initial period of two years, with a possibility of extension to a total of four years. The position is in part connected to the LogiCIC project funded by the European Research Council, under the ERC starting grant, with title ‘The Logical Structure of Correlated Information Change’, awarded to Prof. Sonja Smets.

Project description

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher who will join the research group of Prof. Sonja Smets. Preference will be given to a candidate who is active in one of the following areas:

1. Logic and its applications to formal epistemology or multi-agent systems. In particular we are interested in the use of logical methods to study the dynamics of information. Topics of interest can relate to belief revision theory, social network theory, epistemic game theory, truth approximation or formal learning theory.
2. Logic and its applications in the area of quantum mechanics or quantum information theory. In particular we are interested in quantum logic and its use in quantum information theory (e.g. logics used for the formal verification of quantum information protocols).

Requirements

Applicants should have a PhD degree in any area connected to Logic, Theoretical Philosophy, Mathematics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Physics. Fluent English is a prerequisite.

We are looking for a candidate with a strong interest in Logic (espe- cially in any of the areas such as Modal Logic, Epistemic Logic, Dynamic Logic or Probabilistic Logic) and at least one of the fol-lowing areas of research: Belief Revision Theory, Formal Learning Theory, Formal Epistemology, Epistemic Game Theory, Multi-Agent Systems in AI, Quantum Logic, Quantum Information Theory.

Preference will be given to candidates who have published or sub-mitted for publication original work in at least one of the above areas (or interdisciplinary work at the interface of these areas). We are primarily looking for candidates who have a strong research profile. But it would also be helpful if a candidate has any experi- ence or potential for research supervision, teaching (in areas related to logic) or research organization (e.g. organizing small workshops or research seminars). 

Further information

• Professor Sonja Smets
• People at ILLC
• Research at ILLC

Appointment

The postdoctoral position will be awarded for a period of 24 months. Based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €3,044 to €3,996 (salary scale 10), excl. 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% annual bonus. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities is applicable.

The successful applicant will work under the daily supervision of Professor S. Smets.

The preferred starting date is 1 August 2016.

Job application

The University of Amsterdam is striving for a better balance in its staff whereby, by equal suitability, the appointment of a female candidate will have our preference. Women are, therefore, strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications should include the following information, in separate pdf files (not zipped), using surname, initials and a self-evident word as file names, e.g. , Smith J CV

1. a Curriculum Vitae;
2. a Letter of Motivation (maximum 1 page), explaining why you are interested in this position;
3. a Research Statement (maximum 2 pages), explaining your research interests and how you think they can be related to one of the areas mentioned in the above given job description;
4. a copy of your most important research paper, which can be a joint paper (co-authored with others), and which has appeared in or is submitted for publication to a scientific journal;
5. a brief summary of your PhD thesis in maximum 2 pages;
6. the name and contact details (including email address) of two referees who can provide details about your profile.

Completed applications should be submitted by 15 June 2016 to application-science@uva.nl, and should state your name and vacancy number 16-218 in the subject field. The committee does not guarantee that late or incomplete applications will be considered.

No agencies please